Atlanta (Sept. 18, 2024) The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) is pleased to announce its incoming Board of Directors for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. This year, NACDD’s Representative Members have selected a new President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and six new At Large Directors. The new term will begin October 1, 2024.

Bala Simon, MD, DrPH, MPH, FAAFP, Deputy Chief Medical Officer and State Chronic Disease Director at the Arkansas Department of Health, has completed his term as Board President and will now serve as Past President.

“We are incredibly thankful to Dr. Bala Simon for his service,” said NACDD CEO John. W. Robitscher. “During his term as Board President, Bala led a Workforce Resilience webinar series which aligned with the goal of his President’s Challenge to support and sustain a thriving chronic disease prevention and health promotion workforce. These webinars provided participants the opportunity to engage with chronic disease professional peers and speakers as they address important workforce opportunities and innovative solutions. We are grateful for Bala’s commitment, service, and dedication to NACDD.”

NACDD’s new Board President is Lea Susan Ojamaa, MPH, a Deputy Director for the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Ojamaa served as the President-Elect during the previous term.

“We are extremely excited to have Lea Susan as the next NACDD President,” added Robitscher. “Her strategic leadership and commitment to bring social justice to all prevention and wellness activities is impressive. We look forward to what her leadership will bring to the Association as we continue creating healthier and more equitable communities.”

Teresa Aseret-Manygoats, MPA, was elected as the new President-Elect. Aseret-Manygoats is the Bureau Chief for the Office of Health Equity and Population Health and the State Chronic Disease Director at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She has served as NACDD Treasurer since 2019.

Nancy Sutton, MS, RD, will serve as Secretary.  Sutton is the Chief of the Center for Chronic Care and Disease Management within the Rhode Island Department of Health. Previously Sutton has served as interim Secretary on the Board.

Khatidja Dawood, MS, will serve as Treasurer. Dawood serves as the Director of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Division for the Minnesota Department of Health. She has previously served as an At Large Director.

The newly elected At Large Directors are:

Lainey Faulkner, MHS, is the Director of the Bureau of Health Promotion for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Kimberly McDonald, MD, is the Section Chief/Medical Consultant for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Amber Mendiola, AA, is the Non-Communicable Disease Programs Administrator for Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CMNI).

Ashley Minaei, DrPH, MPH, is a Statewide CVD Program Manager for the State of Alaska, Department of Health, Division of Public Health.

Jill Myers Geadelmann, BS, RN, is the Bureau Chief of Chronic, Congenital and Inherited Conditions for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. She has previously served as NACDD Board President.

Kia Toodle, LLOD, CPM, is the Director of the Chronic Disease Prevention Section for the Georgia Department of Public Health with 27 years of public health experience.

The full 2024-2025 Board of Directors roster:

Officers

• President: Lea Susan Ojamaa, Massachusetts
• President-Elect: Teresa Aseret-Manygoats,  Arizona
• Past President: Bala Simon, Arkansas
• Treasurer: Khatidja Dawood, Minnesota
• Secretary: Nancy Sutton, Rhode Island

At Large Directors

• Lainey Faulkner, Kansas
• Kimberly McDonald, North Carolina
• Amber Mendiola, Saipan, MP
• Ashley Minaei, Alaska
• Jill Myers Geadelmann, Iowa
• Kia Toodle, Georgia

Associate At Large Directors

• Leslie McKnight, Illinois
• Morgan McDonald, Tennessee

Emeritus Board Member

• David Hoffman, New York